Comment submitted by Ty Gorman

I'm from East Tennessee, downstream from deadly Kingston and Asheville coal ash spills. Now live next to the Missouri River, surrounded by four coal plants and related ash. I'm concerned that the coal ash ponds near me will fail; I'm concerned that coal plants near me are unsafe, and EPA is not doing enough to address it. The 2024 rule was a victory for mostly low income, non-white folks who are being poisoned by over 320 coal plants in 41 states that should be required to conduct site-wide cleanup that will protect the air and water. I Demand that the EPA do ALL it can do to protect me and my community. The 2024 rule closed critical loopholes. It required monitoring and cleanup of hundreds of legacy coal ash dumps that are poisoning communities but had evaded regulation. Rolling back this rule abandons vulnerable communities. Coal ash sites are concentrated in low-income communities and communities of color, who have suffered decades of pollution while their concerns are ignored. Limiting enforcement to only -quote- “imminent threats” -unquote- allows ongoing contamination to continue unchecked, forcing communities to live with poisoned water and air. EPA must ensure that ALL coal ash is cleaned up and reject this dangerous proposal! Preserve the 2024 Legacy CCR Rule to ensure cleanup of hundreds of previously exempt sites. hold violators accountable and protect communities that have borne disproportionate pollution burdens. Require complete cleanup with coal ash removal from groundwater, not just capping toxic waste in place. The cost of cleanup is far less than the health care costs, lost productivity, and environmental damage caused by coal ash pollution. The administration must stop forcing our most vulnerable communities to subsidize corporate profits by sacrificing their health and lives. Ty Gorman Sierra Club Sr. Campaign Organizing Strategist